Major Storm Causes Deaths, Disrupts Power in West

A powerful storm, characterized as a 'bomb cyclone,' has wreaked havoc across Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, leading to at least two fatalities and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands. The storm has unleashed record rainfall, with some areas in California receiving over 10 inches in just two days, prompting warnings of flash flooding and landslides. In Washington state, nearly 376,000 residents were left without power, and the National Weather Service has extended flood watches through Saturday for regions north of San Francisco. The storm has disrupted travel, canceling numerous flights at San Francisco International Airport, while communities have opened warming centers to assist those affected. Meteorologists note that this storm is the most significant since January 2012, anticipating continued severe weather with up to 16 inches of rain forecasted in some areas. Authorities are on high alert for dangerous conditions as the storm continues to move south and eastward.